What RCB's IPL 2024 playoff chances look like?

Royal Challengers Bengaluru seemed to have found a slight hope on Thursday after beating Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. It was their first win after a long time, as RCB broke their six-match losing streak in IPL 2024. Although the win made no changes to their position in the points table, as they remain placed at the bottom of the table with just four points from nine games, it gave them a little bit of hope in their chances of making the playoffs.

How can RCB make it to the IPL 2024 playoffs?

While the top two spots in the points table are out of the question for RCB, they can reach the third or fourth position in the points table at the end of the league stage as well, if they manage to win all their remaining five games. With this, they will leave them with a total of 14 points, which is enough to cement their place in playoffs without net run rate playing a factor.

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For RCB to reach fourth place, they need the top three teams, currently Rajasthan Royals, Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad, to win their remaining matches. If RR and KKR face two losses and one for SRH, they will finish at 22, 20 and 20 points respectively as well. This shows that RCB can easily make it to the playoffs as the fourth-placed side with 14 points as well.

Meanwhile, if Lucknow Super Giants can manage five wins in their remaining six matches and earn 20 points, then RCB can make the playoffs as the third-placed side with 14 points as well.

Why does RCB’s IPL 2024 playoffs qualification look possible?

RCB beat an in-form Sunrisers Hyderabad, and will next take on Gujarat Titans twice before taking in Punjab Kings. However, GT are currently facing poor form after a few losses in IPL 2024 so far, where they have claimed four wins in nine matches so far to stand seventh in the points table. Meanwhile, Punjab Kings have been struggling with their form after losing six of their last seven games as well, which also includes a four-game losing streak.

If RCB can win three straight games then they can build momentum in tackling tougher challenges in Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings in their final two matches as well.